The Importance of Times Tables

We all know that learning multiplication is an essential part of any child's education. Students who have mastered multiplication gain a solid foundation in mathematics that will help them throughout school and beyond. The following are the answer to common questions that parents ask about Times Tables.

1. Why does my child need to memorise the Times Tables?

Just like learning to walk before you can run, learning multiplication and memorising the times tables are building blocks for other mathematics topics taught in school - higher learning such as division, long multiplication, fractions and algebra. Students who have not memorized the times tables will find these levels of mathematics much more difficult than they need to be. There is no time to pull out a calculator or to take 20 seconds to work out a maths strategy before coming up with the answer. Students who have not mastered their tables will very often fall behind in math (and other subjects that use math) and begin to loose confidence. All because they did not memorise the times tables!

Knowing your multiplication facts is helpful not only in academics; we frequently use multiplication in our daily lives. We might need it when doubling a recipe, determining a discount at a shopping mall or figuring out our expected arrival time when traveling. Maths calculations are subconscious elements in work, play and daily chores. Knowing the times tables can help simple tasks to be performed rapidly and save time and stress.

2. Why can't they just use a calculator?

Calculators are great tools for figuring out complex calculations. However, using a calculator takes much longer for simple facts and can result in keying errors. Students who rely on calculators are also weak in estimating skills and are unaware of wrong answers that occur from keying mistakes. Furthermore, calculators are not allowed in many tests and admission exams.

3. What is more important understanding or memorisation and how can I help with both?

It's not one or the other, it's both. A child must understand and memorize the facts. Early on, a student needs to understand what multiplication is - the grouping of sets, repeated addition, a faster way of adding. Show them this with an assortment of manipulatives, by skip counting and by using arrays. As they master the basics, expand upon this concept by creating interesting word problems. Allow them to discover the patterns in the numbers by exploring a 100s chart, skip-counting tables and the times table chart. This is the time that they can discover multiplication strategies. However, there eventually comes a time when we need to highlight the importance of rapid recall. Students need to know that they should recall the answer instantaneously. Tables Splat allows children to demonstrate their speed and accuracy when using times tables.

The boring task of memorization can be made more fun through games such as Tables Splat that reinforce repetition of the maths facts. Working with your child to play Tables Splat can be a bonding time as you play games and challenge each other. You will also have the opportunity to help them learn the important life skills of memorization and goal setting.

Have fun together playing Tables Splat. It's always a good review and an opportunity for the whole family to exercise their brains.

How Parents Can Help Their Child Memorise the Times Tables

1. Make sure there is understanding.
2. Explain why it is important.
3. Demonstrate what fast recall is. Tables Splat will increase speed and Accuracy.
4. Be interested in maths yourself. Play Tables Splat with your child.
5. Find out what facts they already know. Tables Splat High Score will give a good indicator.
6. Involve your child in the goal setting process. What High Score can they achieve by the end of the week
7. Focus primarily on the facts they need to learn.
8. Use Tables Splat High Score to monitor progress.
9. Provide encouragement along the way.
10. Spend quality time together practicing. Family/ Class Tables Splat competitions
11. Acknowledge their success.
12. And most importantly: Have fun! Tables Splat will certainly allow this!